OCP's demonstration platforms boosts olive yields by 15%, increases profits by 22%

The OCP Group announced today that the demonstration platforms for olive tree planting recorded an increase in yield per hectare of 15% during the 2022/2023 season compared to the yield recorded by farmers using regular farming techniques.

“Demonstration platforms” are a technique that involves applying good agricultural practices in a specific agricultural field to demonstrate their impact on the quality and yield of production. 

It is an approach that seeks to convince farmers to follow a scientific approach supervised by agricultural experts from the group.

The OCP, which unveiled the demonstration platforms results for olive trees in an online conference, said that the margin of profit in these platforms increased by 22% compared to regular farming methods.

The same source noted that the highest results nationally were registered on the demonstration platforms in Safi, Marrakech, and Kalaa Sraghna, which recorded increases of 10.5%, 8%, and 25%, respectively.

Mountainous regions saw a 23% increase in production compared to other farmed lands, with demonstration platforms recording a 26% profit margin. 

Fallow lands experienced an 11% production increase and a 14% profit margin, while irrigated lands utilizing demonstration platforms saw a 16% production rise and a 24% increase in profit margin.

Spanning 7 regions and 27 provinces, the demonstration platform program boasts 1251 platforms implemented in 2022/2023, benefiting 427 farmers.

Since the launch of the Al Moutmir initiative, more than 26,117 demonstration platforms have been established nationwide. Notably, 56% are dedicated to fruit trees, with olive trees accounting for an impressive 81% of these fruit tree platforms.

In addition, these platforms (olive tree planting) concern different varieties, types of irrigation (drip, gravity irrigation, localized irrigation).

The program of demonstration platforms for olive tree planting ensures the rational use of nutrients (NPK: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) using formulas designed based on the results of soil analyses.

Additionally, an Integrated Crop Management Program (ICP) is deployed for each platform and covers the various stages of cultivation. Beyond their agronomic contribution, these platforms also present a real opportunity to analyze farmers’ behaviors towards new crop management models and new technologies.